&#34;Skelton&#34; kiwifruit plant

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Kiwifruit is described. The variety results from controlled pollination of Actinidia deliciosia Blue, a male selection of unkown parentage, and Actinidia deliciosia L513, a female selection. The variety is distinguished by its generally obovoid fruit shape, early fruit maturity, and medium to strong vigour. The new variety has been named &#34;Skelton.&#34;

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive Kiwifruitcultivar having a generally obovoid shaped fruit. More particularly, thenew cultivar is designated `Skelton`.

The variety was bred in 1980 on the inventor's properties by theinventor on his property at Waiuku, New Zealand and is a result ofcontrolled pollination of Actinidia deliciosia Blue, a male selection ofunknown parentage, and Actinidia deliciosia L513, a female selection.Blue was selected as the pollen parent for Skelton because of its stronggrowth and very early flowering, while the L513 seed parent was selectedfor its early maturity, large fruit, shape and size. Both parents areproprietary lines maintained by the inventor and are not available tothe public in commerce.

The plant was reproduced by grafting onto Bruno rootstock (seedlingsfrom the seed of the Bruno plant. The seedlings used were Matua/Bruno).Asexual propagation shows that the unique combination of characteristicscome true to form and are established and transmitted through succeedingpropagations. The new variety has been named the `Skelton` variety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct kiwifruit variety.More particularly, the variety is designated `Skelton` and is derivedfrom a cross between a male Actinidia deliciosia Blue and a femaleActinidia deliciosia L513. The Skelton variety exhibits medium to strongvine vigor, early fruit maturity, and large, generally obovoid fruitshape.

The `Skelton` variety was asexually reproduced by grafting onto `Bruno`rootstock. Upon asexual reproduction, the distinct combination ofcharacteristics of `Skelton` come true to form and are established andtransmitted through succeeding propagations. The distinctivecharacteristics of this new kiwifruit cultivar described in detail belowwere observed in 1989-1990. The age of the plants was about one to twoyears from graft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more fully understood by having reference to theaccompanying colour photographic reproductions wherein:

FIG. 1 shows four fruit of the `Skelton` variety.

FIG. 2 shows a typical collection of fruit on a vine 30 months fromgraft.

FIG. 3 shows a typical mature fruit of the `Skelton` variety next to`Hayward` fruit, `Bruno` fruit, and `Gracie` fruit of similar maturity.The photograph is taken prior to the mature harvest stage.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The distinctive characteristics of this new kiwifruit cultivar,summarized in Table 1 and described in detail below, were observed in1989-1990 at the inventor's property at Waiuku, New Zealand. The age ofthe plants was about 1 to 2 years from graft.

The colour designations herein after set forth are according to thePantone Colour Formula Guide 7474XR.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Differences from Hayward                                                                   `Hayward`     `Skelton`                                          ______________________________________                                        Fruit shape  squat         long                                               Fruit maturity                                                                             late          early                                              Vine Vigour  medium        medium-strong                                      ______________________________________                                        Differences from Bruno                                                                     `Bruno`       `Skelton`                                          ______________________________________                                        Fruit shape  cylindrical   pointed oval                                       Fruit maturity                                                                             medium-late   early                                              ______________________________________                                        Differences from Gracie                                                                    `Gracie`      `Skelton`                                          ______________________________________                                        Fruit shape  shorter/bulkier                                                                             longer/narrower                                    Fruit maturity                                                                             medium        early                                              ______________________________________                                    

The fruit is substantially obovoid in shape but has a circularcross-section typical of the `Hayward` and `Bruno` varieties. The lengthto width ratio is 2:1 as in the `Bruno` variety. In contrast, `Skelton`is notably longer in shape than `Hayward`. Furthermore, `Skelton`differs from two other "long-shaped" kiwifruit, `Bruno` and `Gracie` ina number of characteristics set forth in Table 1. Table 2 presents forcomparison the fruit size measurements and length-width ratios of thefruit of the `Hayward,` `Bruno` and `Skelton` varieties.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Average      Average  Length:Width                                                                              Width:Length                                Length       Width    Ratio       Ratio                                       ______________________________________                                        Hayward                                                                              2.87 in   2.37 in  1.210     0.825                                     Skelton                                                                              4.13 in   2.00 in  2.065     0.484                                     Bruno  3.55 in   1.74 in  2.040     0.490                                     ______________________________________                                    

The apex shape is truncated. The length of the hair is mainly long as inthe `Hayward` and `Bruno` varieties and the density is medium as in`Hayward` and `Bruno`. The stylar periphery is rounded as in `Bruno`.The size of the columella in median cross-section is medium (3:1). Theshape of the columella in cross-section is only slightly fluted i.e. 1:8whereas `Hayward` are nearly all fluted. The colour of the fruit (at 14%Brix) is: Skin, light-mid brown, 465U; Flesh, green, 391U; Core, verypale green, 5875C; Seed, dark brown, 4975U. The fruit colour advancesfrom green to brown with maturity and varies according to the amount ofsunlight reaching the fruit. At peak ripeness, the flesh colour is alittle lighter than `Hayward,` and noticeably lighter than `Bruno.` Thefruit has a softer "mouth feel" and a sweeter, less acid taste comparedwith `Hayward.`

Good-sized fruit contain 700-900 seeds, a medium count relative to`Hayward` which contains 1,000-1,400.

The fruit virtually lacks the `Hayward` mark. The `Hayward` mark is ashallow sunken line running down the side of the fruit, sometimes endingin a hook or protuberance. It is caused by a stamen sticking to thefruit and the hook by an anther sticking. While this occurs in mostActinidia deliciosia varieties it is much more prevalent in `Hayward.`

The mean size of mature fruit changes little with advancing harvestseason. The fruit depicted in FIG. 3 is taken prior to the matureharvest stage. The harvest season is relatively short due to quicklyincreasing brix levels.

The time of maturity for harvest is early. This time is reached when theaverage soluble solids content of a sample of at least ten fruit fromfive vines (measured using a refractometer) reaches 6.2% ss. Based on aBrix test (6.2% ss) the earliest maturity date, measured over a ten yearperiod of fruit grown on properties at Waipipi and Waiuku, New Zealand,was about March 16 the lastest maturity date was March 25. Hayward, onthe same properties, reached 6.2% ss between May 3 and 14. The size ofthe fruit is reasonably consistent with weights ranging from thesmallest 80 gms to 138 gms. The majority of fruit was in the 110 g to120 gm size range. The average weight from the sample picked (20 fruit)was 115 gm whereas the `Hayward` sample only averaged 102 gm. There waslittle variation in the shape of the fruit observed.

The fruit storage is good. The period of viable storage is shorter thanthe `Hayward` variety. Trials have shown storage at 0° C. and relativehumidity of 85% satisfactory to six months. The shipping qualities aresatisfactory and comparable to `Hayward.` Chilling requirements aresimilar, but marginally less than `Hayward.`

After-ripening characteristics differ from `Hayward,` the new varietyhaving a relatively quick softening ripening to eating stage whencompared with `Hayward.`

PLANT

The plant demonstrates a female sex expression. It has a medium vigour.The plant is deciduous. Frost-hardiness is similar to `Hayward` andothers.

A lateral shoot was observed two months after flowering on internodes offour to eight inches from the tip of growing shoots. The anthocyanincolouration of hairs was brown as in the `Hayward` variety. The hairswere of medium density as in the `Hayward` variety.

The central third of a stem of a dormant cane was observed after leaffall. The colour was yellowish/brown as in the `Bruno` variety. Thenumber of lenticels was few, as in the `Hayward` variety, and of raisedconspicuousness. In comparison with the `Hayward` variety the lenticelson mature canes were larger and more raised.

The colour of the wood is: End of season cane (7 months), brown, 4635U,2 year old wood, grey, 402U.

The pruning and training requirements are similar to the `Hayward`variety with one exception: Replacement can should not be stopped ortipped or pruned, as this leads to premature bud burst.

A mature leaf was observed near the base of current seasons growth onsufficiently mature, but not old leaves. It had a generally oblateblade, as in the `Hayward` variety, and a cuspidate apex, as in the`Bruno` variety. The base was cordate, as in the `Hayward` and `Bruno`varietiies. The margin was crenulate, as in the `Hayward` and `Bruno`varieties, this was mainly due to hairs on the margin. The density ofhair on the main veins on the lower side of the leaf was medium as in`Hayward`. The density of stellate hair between the main veins on thelower side was dense as in `Hayward`. The anthocyanin colouration of thepetiole was strong. The leaf colouration was: Mature leaf (8 to 12inches across), dark green, 574C; Medium leaf (4 inches across), darkgreen, 371C; Young leaf (2 inches across), dark olive green, 378C.

The flowers were observed when 65 to 75% were in bloom. The time ofbeginning of flowering was medium as in the `Bruno` variety. The numberof flowers was medium as in the `Hayward` variety. The length of thepedicel was long (average about 21/3 inches). The number of petals wasgenerally six. The length of the petal was meidum as in `Hayward` and`Bruno` (about 3/4-11/2 inches).

The width of the petal was medium as in `Hayward` (about 3/4-1 1/5inches). The petals were touching a in `Bruno`. The corolla form wascupped as in `Hayward` and `Bruno`. The curvature of the petals wasbetween flat and involute. The attitudee of styles were curved below themiddle and none were erect, very distinct from `Hayward`.

The productivity has been compared with `Hayward.` Initial preliminaryresults show 21% more flowers and 35% higher total fruit weight than`Hayward.` A major difference is the fruiting at a young age (precocity)of `Skelton` with a full crop in the third season from grafting.

A male variety which blooms in the same period as "Skelton," such as"Derek," is likely to be suitable as a pollinator variety.

I claim:
 1. The new and distinct variety of kiwifruit plant hereindescribed and illustrated, and identified by the characteristicsenumerated above.